Wout Van Aert started his 2025 campaign well with a double win in cyclocross at the Superprestige in Gullegem and the World Cup in Dendermonde , but he has yet to overcome the problems resulting from a crash at last season’s Vuelta: “In the second half of the race in Dendermonde I had some problems with my right leg, but not to the point where I had to slow down,” Van Aert told Het Laatste Nieuws. “I still feel pain in my knee every day, and also in my back and ribs from the crash in March. These parts of the body still require attention every day, so I’m very happy that my body is already able to handle such a race in the mud, because riding in mud up to your ankles is really an assault on the body. This weekend I also learned that, in terms of condition, it wasn’t bad at all.”

Van Aert , however, has worked very well during the winter also because in 2025 he wants to redeem himself and also has the Giro d'Italia on his agenda . "I worked very hard with the physiotherapists to get back to having a body that I can fully count on," the Belgian told WielerFlits immediately after the race in Dendermonde. "It's a great satisfaction to see it confirmed in cross-country as well. I'm back, and that's good for my confidence, also for what's to come. Ultimately, cross-country is an intermediate station in the winter where we wanted to see where I was at. It seems that I'm already at a good level. It gives me courage to continue working hard for what's yet to come."

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency